Release Date: 1991.
Recording Time: 74 minutes.
Recording Date: November, 1927 - February 9, 1932.
Release Info: Compilation (DOCD-5050) Studio Recording.
Styles: Acoustic Blues, Acoustic Chicago Blues, Country Blues, Pre-War Blues, Regional Blues, Early American Blues, Blues Revival.
Abridged from this album's original booklet notes. When Big Bill Broonzy came to Chicago from Arkansas in 1920 he was still 'country' but, as he was to prove time and again in his long career, he was also adaptable and despite his supremely affable, easy-going manner he knew what he wanted and was prepared to persevere until he got it. One of the things he wanted was to make records. His break came when he approached Paramount Records. They cut four tracks, which remained unissued but later re-cut two of the titles. The resultant record presented Big Bill and Thomas performing House Rent Stomp and Big Bill Blues. Bill later justified knowing that he was bilked on the pay he received because he and Thomas alone bought at least fifty copies! There was to be only one more release on Paramount before Big Bill hit his big year of 1930, when, using the pseudonym of Sammy Sampson he cut five tracks, four of which appear here, for the Perfect label in New York, then, learning the tricks of the trade he became Big Bill Johnson for Gennett in Richmond before returning to Paramount as Big Bill Broomsley. From his country origins he moved on to investigate hokum numbers and vaudeville songs. Always keeping an eye out for the main chance, he upgraded his sound by the addition of a piano when he cut three sides utilising the talents of Georgia Tom Dorsey; forever malleable at the same time moulding himself into his basic, unchanging role of good-time rounder, some-time philosopher and full-time bluesman. ~ Keith Briggs, 1991 Document Records.
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If having it all is your ultimate goal as a blues collector, this 11-CD set will certainly aid and abet in that pursuit. On this exhaustive collection from 1927-1942 you will find a plethora of great sides, including "C-C Rider," "Milkcow Blues," and his finest instrumental, "House Rent Stomp." Collecting up 15 years of recorded works and running them in strict chronological order is a most laudable effort, but this certainly is not the place to start in building up a great Big Bill Broonzy collection. For completists only. ~ Cub Koda.
This is a particularly fascinating CD, for it has the first 26 selections ever recorded by Big Bill Broonzy as a leader. The beginning of Document's complete reissuance of all of Broonzy's early recordings, the set starts with four duet numbers that Broonzy cut during 1927-28 with fellow guitarist John Thomas. Although his style was already a bit recognizable, the young guitarist/vocalist really started coming into his own in 1930. There are 15 selections from that year included on this set, with Big Bill often using the pseudonyms of Sammy Sampson or Big Bill Johnson; in fact, even the final seven numbers (from 1932) had him billed as the latter. The CD finds Broonzy evolving from a country-blues musician who already had strong technique into a star of hokum records. Among the many highlights are "Big Bill Blues" (different versions in 1928 and 1932), "I Can't Be Satisfied," "Pig Meat Strut," "Beedle Um Bum" and "Selling That Stuff." Pianist Georgia Tom Dorsey helps out on three numbers. Big Bill Broonzy fans have a right to rejoice about the existence of this wonderful series. ~ Scott Yanow.
Credits: Frank Brasswell - guitar; Keith Briggs - liner notes; Big Bill Broonzy - banjo, composer, guitar, guitar (rhythm), primary artist, violin, vocals; Georgia Tom - composer, piano; Jazz Gillum - harmonica, vocals; Black Bob Hudson - piano; Louis Katzman - composer; Louie Lasky - guitar; Carl Martin - guitar; Johnny Parth - compilation producer; John Thomas - guitar, speech/speaker/speaking part, vocals; John "J.T." Thomas - guitar; Traditional - composer; Muddy Waters - composer; Zeb Wright - violin.
Tracklist:
01. House Rent Stomp - Big Bill And Thomps
02. Big Bill Blues - Big Bill
03. Down In The Basement Blues - Big Bill
04. Starvation Blues - Big Bill
05. I Can't Be Satisfied - Sammy Sampson
06. Grandma's Farm - Sammy Sampson
07. Skoodle Do Do - Sammy Sampson
08. Tadpole Blues - Sammy Sampson
09. Skoodle Do Do - Big Bill Johnson
10. Saturday Night Rub - Big Bill Johnson
11. Pig Meat Strut - Big Bill Johnson
12. Papa's Gettin' Hot - Big Bill Johnson
13. Police Station Blues - Sammy Sampson
14. They Can't Do That - Sammy Sampson
15. State Street Woman - Big Bill
16. Meanest Kind Of Blues - Big Bill
17. I Got The Blues For My Baby - Big Bill
18. The Banker's Blues - Big Bill Johnson
19. How You Want It Done? - Big Bill Johnson
20. Too Too Train Blues - Big Bill Johnson
21. Mistreatin' Mamma - Big Bill Johnson
22. Big Bill Blues - Big Bill Johnson
23. Brown Skin Shuffle - Big Bill Johnson
24. Stove Pipe Stomp - Big Bill Johnson
25. Beedle Um Bum - Big Bill Johnson
26. Selling That Stuff - Big Bill Johnson
Personnel: Big Bill and Thomps: Big Bill Broonzy - guitar; John Thomas - guitar, speech; Big Bill - vocals, guitar; John Thomas - guitar; Big Bill - vocals, guitar; John Thomas - vocals, guitar on 3, effects on 3; Big Bill (as by Sammy Sampson) - vocals, guitar; Frank Brasswell - guitar; Big Bill - vocals, guitar; probably Georgia Tom Dorsey - piano; Big Bill (as by Big Bill Johnson) - vocals, guitar; Frank Brasswell - guitar; No vocals (speech only) on 10, 11; only one guitar on 7; vocal duet on 12; Big Bill (as by Sammy Sampson) - vocals, guitar; Big Bill - vocals, guitar; Georgia Tom Dorsey - piano; Big Bill (as by Big Bill Johnson) - vocals, guitar; Big Bill (as Big Bill Johnson) - vocals, guitar; Steele Smith - banjo; or Johnson and Smith on 23, 24: Big Bill - guitar; Steele Smith - banjo; or Steele and Johnson on 25, 26: Big Bill, Steele Smith - vocal duet; accompanied by own guitar and banjo.